Engine type is coded in Chrysler VINs beginning in 1966. Prior to 1966, the VIN only distinguished a 6 cylinder model from an 8 cylinder model.

Chrysler used two VIN systems. The first, used from 1966-1980, has 13 digits, and the engine code is the 5th digit. The second has 17 digits and the engine code is the 8th digit. As usual, there's an exception. Chrysler's TC by Maserati has the engine VIN digit in the fifth position.

(Jeep used the AMC system until a few years after Chrysler acquired it. Jeep then switched to the Chrysler conventions. See below.)

Knowing the year of the car is often necessary to determine which engine code to use. The year is coded in the 6th (13-digit system) or the 10th digit. (In both cases, the year code is 8 characters from the end of the VIN, or 2 characters before the six-digit sequential build number.) >From 1966 to 1979, the last number of the calendar year was used, and 6 through 9 were repeated (0 *was* used for 1970). Beginning in 1980, the year was coded alphabetically, beginning with 'A' and skipping 'I,' 'O,' and 'Q.' (H=1987, J=1988, N=1992, P=1993, R=1994, etc.)

This list does not include Dodge truck engine codes, which, except for the minivans, are mostly different than those for cars. In fact, the truck VINs use a different system, and may even omit the engine code. (The Jeep list includes all codes from 1981, regardless of usage.)

Code

Engine

Years Used

A

170-1

1966-69

1.7-2

1978-82 (VW)

1.6-2

1983-86 (Peugeot)

2.2 T2

1987-89 (including '89 TC, 5th VIN digit)

2.2 T3

1991-93

B

225-1

1966-69

198-1

1970-74

2.2-2

1981-82

1.7-2

1983

C

Special Order 6 cyl

1966-69

225-1

1970-80

2.2-2

1983-87

2.2 T4

1990

D

273

1966 (2 or 4 bbl)

273-2

1967-69

225-2

1977-80

2.6-2

1981-82

2.2 EFI

1985-94

E

318-2

1966

273-4

1967

Special order 6 cyl

1970-80

225-1

1981-82

2.2 T1

1984-88

488 V10

1992-

F

361

1966 (2 or 4 bbl)

318-2

1967-69

225-1 HD

1981-82

2.2-2 HP

1984-86

3.5

1993-

G

383

1966 (2 or 4 bbl)

383-2

1967-69

318-2

1970-80

225-2

1981-82

2.6-2

1983

H

426 Hemi

1966

383-4 HP

1967-69

340-4

1970-73

318-4

1978-80

225-1

1983

J

440

1966

426 Hemi

1967-69

340-6

1970-71

360-4

1974-79

225-1 HD

1983

2.5 T1

1989-91

K

Special Order V8

1966

440-4

1967-69

360-2

1971-80

318-2

1981-82

225-2

1983

2.5 EFI 1986-95

L

440-4 HP

1967-69

383-2

1970-71

360-4 HP

1974-78

318-2 HD

1981-82

M

Special Order V8

1967

440-6

1969

400-2

1972-76

318-4

1981-82

N

383-4

1970-71

400-4

1974-78

318-4 HD

1981-82

P

340-4

1968-69

400-4

1972-73

400-4 HP

1974-78

318-2

1983-89

R

426 Hemi

1970-71

318-4

1983-87

2.2 T

1989-90 TC only--5th digit (DOHC Maserati head)

2.0

1990- DSM Eclipse/Talon only

3.3

1990- non-LH

S

318-4 Police

1983-89

3.0

1990-91 TC code ONLY--5th digit (same Mitsu 3.0)

T

440-4

1970-77

1.8

1990- DSM Eclipse ONLY

3.3

1993- LH

U

440-4 HP

1970-77

2.0 T

1990- DSM Eclipse/Talon ONLY

3.0

1990-

V

440-6

1970-72

X

2.2 LPG

1987

Z

Special Order V8

1970-78

318 LPG

1987

3

3.0

1989-

4

318-4 HD

1984-89

7

318 LPG

1987

8

2.2-2 HD

1984-86

Jeep

Engine code in VIN:

4th digit 1981-1988

8th digit 1989-

Codes from 1981-present: Unless marked as diesel or EFI, all listed engines used 2 barrel carburetors.